7 SEL Skills Increased with Developmental Play

Posted on April 18, 2023

As parents, we want our children to be successful not only academically but also socially and emotionally. As educators, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment for our students where they can develop the necessary skills to succeed in all aspects of life. While there are many activities and programs designed to help children improve their social-emotional learning skills. Often unnoticed, Developmental Play games are excellent for helping to develop the intellectual competence of students. 

Developmental play has been around for centuries, Tactical in nature, strategic thinking is a requirement for participation. However, what many people do not realize is that developmental play is also an excellent tool for cultivating mental assets , sometimes thought of as non-cognitive skills. These skills are essential for success in both academics and in life, and developmental play provides an engaging and challenging way to improve them.

In this post, we will explore seven social-emotional learning skills that your child can learn from developmental play. Whether you are an educator searching for new ways to teach social-emotional skills, or a parent looking to enhance your child's learning, we hope that this post will inspire you to consider the benefits of Developmental Play @GiddyGlove PA'RC .

1. Patience

Patience is the ability to wait calmly for something to happen or for something you want. In developmental play games, players must take their time to think through their moves and consider all possible outcomes before making a move. This requires patience, as some of the games can be slow-paced and each move must be carefully thought out. When educators use developmental play, students can develop patience, which can benefit them in many areas of their lives.

Some examples of how developmental play can increase patience include:

• Learning to think before acting: in developmental play games, impulsivity can lead to mistakes and lost opportunities. Players must learn to take their time and think through their moves before making a decision. This can help children develop a habit of thinking before acting in their personal and academic lives.
• Practicing delayed gratification: Winning a developmental play game can take a long time, and players must be willing to invest the time and effort needed to achieve their goal. Winning Developmental Play games can take time, delaying gratification, which helps develop perseverance and self-control through the practice of patience.

2. Perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to keep trying even when faced with obstacles or challenges. In developmental play games, losing a piece or a game doesn't mean the game is over. Players must continue to think strategically and look for opportunities to turn the game around. This requires perseverance, as players must be willing to keep trying even when things are not going well. Developmental play games held students learn perseverance, which can benefit them in many areas of their lives.

Additionally, the thinking required for developmental play games increase problem-solving skills , and students learn to constantly adapt to changing situations. By playing these games, children can develop the ability to keep trying to find solutions even when faced with challenging problems.

3. Critical thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information to make informed decisions. In developmental play games, players must consider all possible moves to make the best decision. This requires critical thinking, as players must analyze the board to find the best move. By playing , students can develop critical thinking skills, which can benefit them in many areas of their lives.

Some examples of critical thinking include:

• Learning to weigh pros and cons: In developmental play games, players must weigh the pros and cons of each move to make the best decision. This can help students form a habit of evaluating information and making informed decisions in their personal and academic lives.
• Practicing strategic thinking: Developmental play games are strategic and require students to constantly think ahead and anticipate their opponent's moves. Just by playing, children can practice strategic thinking skills and develop the ability to plan ahead and anticipate the consequences of their actions.

4. Problem-solving

Problem-solving is the ability to find solutions to challenging problems. In developmental play games, players must constantly solve problems and adapt to changing situations. This requires creativity and the ability to think outside the box to find solutions.

When playing, children must anticipate their opponent's actions, forcing them to think creatively to find the best move. Additionally, developmental paly games are unpredictable, and players must adapt to changing situations to find solutions, which can help children develop adaptability and flexibility.

Moreover, problem-solving these games require strategic thinking, and players must plan ahead and anticipate the consequences of their actions. By practicing strategic thinking in play, students develop the ability to plan ahead and find innovative solutions to problems.

5. Focus and concentration

In developmental play games, players must focus and concentrate on the game for extended periods. This requires sustained attention and the ability to avoid distractions. Through play, students develop the ability to sustain their attention for longer periods and learn to avoid distractions, which can benefit them in their academic and personal lives.

Developmental Play games teaches students to focus on the game for a prolonged period, which can translate to other areas of their lives. As children learn to concentrate on the game, they develop the ability to sustain their attention and focus on tasks for an extended period. Moreover, learning to avoid distractions helps students develop a habit of avoiding distractions in their personal and academic lives, such as when studying or completing homework.

6. Sportsmanship

In developmental play games, players must show respect to their opponent and accept the outcome of the game gracefully. Sportsmanship is essential for success in personal and professional relationships. Through developmental play, students can learn good sportsmanship and how to show respect to others, even in defeat.

Developmental play teaches children the importance of showing respect to their opponent, regardless of the outcome of the game. By learning to show respect, children can develop a habit of treating others with respect and kindness, which can benefit them in their personal and academic lives. Furthermore, learning to accept the outcome of the game gracefully, whether they win or lose, can help children develop the ability to handle both successes and failures in their personal and academic lives.

7. Emotional control

In developmental play games, players learn to show respect to their opponent and accept the outcome of the game gracefully. Simply playing, students can develop good sportsmanship and learn to show respect to others, even in defeat.

Developmental play teaches children the importance of showing respect to their opponent, regardless of the outcome of the game. By learning to show respect, children can develop a habit of treating others with respect and kindness, which can benefit them in their personal and academic lives. Furthermore, learning to accept the outcome of the game gracefully, whether they win or lose, can help children develop the ability to handle both successes and failures in their personal and academic lives – and, in the future, in their professional lives too.

FAQs

What age is best to start teaching and developing SEL skills

Children can start learning Social Emotional Learning skills as early as 4 years old. However, it's never too late to start learning. Developmental Play can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Can developmental play games really improve social-emotional learning skills?

Yes, developmental play has been shown to improve social-emotional learning skills in children. Developmental play games require players to think critically, problem-solve, and show sportsmanship, among other skills. By playing, students can improve these skills, which will benefit them in many areas of their lives, including academics and personal relationships.

Think About This 

Developmental play games are a great tools for developing social-emotional learning skills in students. By playing , students learn patience, perseverance, critical thinking, problem-solving, focus and concentration, sportsmanship, and emotional control. These skills will benefit them in all areas of their lives, from academics to personal relationships.

If you want to help your students develop social-emotional learning skills, get in touch with us here